MaxiTrack Military Ground Protection Test with the Royal Engineers at Ripon Barracks
To assess the durability and versatility of MaxiTrack in demanding conditions, GroundGuards invited the Royal Engineers at Ripon Barracks to put the system through a practical field test. The objective was to simulate military-style use and confirm whether the mats could support heavy-duty vehicles, including tanks and diggers, while remaining quick to deploy and recover.
The Challenge: Heavy Vehicles, Aggressive Manoeuvres, and Rapid Deployment Requirements
The trial needed to prove two things at once: that the matting could cope with sustained heavy loading and harsh manoeuvres, and that it could still be handled efficiently by a small team. The wider aim was to understand MaxiTrack’s suitability for temporary logistics depots, landing pads, base areas, and rough-terrain access routes where speed, stability, and minimal ground impact are critical.
Our Solution: MaxiTrack Mats Tested Under Realistic Military Conditions
The Royal Engineers began by unloading MaxiTrack stillages using a JCB telehandler. The mats were then connected quickly to form a large pad area, using MaxiTrack’s interlocking design and lightweight construction, which allowed fast handling by two people.
With the pad established, the team moved to performance testing. A range of military vehicles, including trucks, diggers, and an armoured Terrier Tank, drove repeatedly over the mats to assess stability and resilience.
Terrier Tank Manoeuvres to Push the System to its Limits
The Terrier Tank carried out a sequence of aggressive manoeuvres including twists, turns, slews, and sharp accelerations across the mat surface. Throughout the test, the mats held firm, maintained grip during demanding movements, and showed no mud seepage.
Results: No Damage, Quick Recovery, and Strong Feedback
After extensive use, the MaxiTrack heavy-duty trackway mats showed no signs of damage or deformation. The grass beneath remained undisturbed, and the system was recovered quickly and cleanly.
A member of the Royal Engineers team commented:
“The product is very very good; lightweight, easy to handle by two people, it fits together quickly and can also be recovered very quickly too.”
Their feedback reinforced MaxiTrack’s value for rapid deployment and recovery in high-demand environments.
Watch the Video
Watch the video of the Royal Engineers testing MaxiTrack
Key Lessons for Military and Emergency Ground Protection
- Real-world manoeuvre testing such as turning, slewing, and sharp acceleration is essential to validate stability, not just static loading.
- Systems that two people can deploy and recover quickly are a practical advantage in time-critical operations.
- Interlocking mats help maintain continuity under repeated trafficking and aggressive vehicle movement.
- Minimal mud migration and low ground disturbance support cleaner operations and simpler reinstatement.
- A single system that can form pads, routes, and base areas improves flexibility in unpredictable field conditions.
Speak to GroundGuards About Military-Grade Ground Protection Mats
If your operation requires rapid deployment, heavy-duty performance, and minimal ground impact, GroundGuards can help. Contact our team to discuss the right ground protection mats for military, emergency, or high-demand field projects.
